Patent US4403312A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4403312A
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Three-dimensional seismic data gathering method
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1980-12-30
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Granted: 1983-09-06
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Expires: 2000-12-30
Abstract
Abstract An improved method for three-dimensional seismic exploration of the subterranean structure of the earth is disclosed wherein arrays of sources of acoustic energy and of detectors of reflected energy are used. The configurations of both arrays are conjointly experimented with to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the resultant data; the signals output by the detectors are summed, and are correlated with those output with respect to all acoustic energy emitted within a given array of sources.
Inventors
- 👤 Herman B. Thomason
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:36
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
283 words
A method for three-dimensional seismic exploration of the subterranean structure of the earth, comprising the steps of: arranging a plurality of sources of acoustic energy in a first predetermined subarray; arranging a plurality of detectors of acoustic energy in a plurality of arrays of detection positions, each array being substantially identical, said arrays being spaced from one another along a line of exploration, the outputs of all of the detectors in each of said arrays being connected in common to means for recording said outputs; operating said sources of acoustic energy simultaneously and in phase with one another to transmit an acoustic wave into the earth; detecting the reflection of said wave from an interface between subterranean layers of rock at said detectors; moving said sources of acoustic energy to other subarrays in an array of source positions spaced from other such arrays above a second line of exploration for transmission of acoustic energy to the earth; repeating said step of transmitting energy into the earth; detecting reflection of said energy at said detectors; summing the outputs of said detectors made with respect to all sources of acoustic energy within a given array; moving said sources of acoustic energy to points in a first subarray within a differing array of source positions and repeating said steps of generating acoustic energy, detecting rflection of said energy, moving said sources to points in another subarray of said differing array, and summing the outputs of said detectors; and correlating the records thus formed corresponding to each array with one another with respect to reflection from common depth points on said interface to yield a representation of the shape of said interface having an improved signal-to-noise ratio.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
283 words
A method for three-dimensional seismic exploration of the subterranean structure of the earth, comprising the steps of: arranging a plurality of sources of acoustic energy in a first predetermined subarray; arranging a plurality of detectors of acoustic energy in a plurality of arrays of detection positions, each array being substantially identical, said arrays being spaced from one another along a line of exploration, the outputs of all of the detectors in each of said arrays being connected in common to means for recording said outputs; operating said sources of acoustic energy simultaneously and in phase with one another to transmit an acoustic wave into the earth; detecting the reflection of said wave from an interface between subterranean layers of rock at said detectors; moving said sources of acoustic energy to other subarrays in an array of source positions spaced from other such arrays above a second line of exploration for transmission of acoustic energy to the earth; repeating said step of transmitting energy into the earth; detecting reflection of said energy at said detectors; summing the outputs of said detectors made with respect to all sources of acoustic energy within a given array; moving said sources of acoustic energy to points in a first subarray within a differing array of source positions and repeating said steps of generating acoustic energy, detecting rflection of said energy, moving said sources to points in another subarray of said differing array, and summing the outputs of said detectors; and correlating the records thus formed corresponding to each array with one another with respect to reflection from common depth points on said interface to yield a representation of the shape of said interface having an improved signal-to-noise ratio.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the configurations of said arrays of detectors and of sources of acoustic energy are adjusted by experimentation aimed at minimizing the signal-to-noise ratio of the outputs of said detectors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 2 in which said experimentation is performed prior to performance of a survey whereby said survey is performed using the array configurations arrived at during said experimentation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each said array of detectors comprises a plurality of lines generaly perpendicular to the line of exploration along which said plurality of arrays of geophones are disposed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said array of detectors of acoustic energy are disposed along a substantially closed line defining an area the subterranean structure of which is of particular interest.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the arrays of locations at which acoustic energy is imparted to the earth are disposed along a substantially closed line defining an area the subterranean structure of which is of particular interest.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
16 words
The method of either of claims 5 or 6 wherein said line substantially defines a square.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said arrays of locations of sources of acoustic energy are disposed along lines, within said area, said lines dividing said area into substantially equal sub-areas for exploration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said arrays of detectors of acoustic energy are disposed along lines within said area, said lines dividing said area into sub-areas for exploration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the dimensions of length and width of all of said arrays of sources of acoustic energy and of detectors is greater than is the spacing of said arrays along said lines of exploration.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-09-05 | 1987-03-07 | 1987-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-05 | 1991-03-07 | 1991-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-05 | 1995-03-07 | 1995-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |